Railcar handbrake monitor

Abstract

A device for monitoring the status of a railcar handbrake having a hand operated handle, which device has a magnet configured to he inserted in the linkage of a railcar handbrake system. A sensing component is mounted on the railcar to sense the proximity of the magnet when the handbrake is applied. A system and method using the monitoring device to provide communication of an alarm when the handbrake is applied and the railcar is moving.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for monitoring and reporting the status of a railcar handbrake of a railcar, comprising:
 a brake that engages a railcar wheel, the handbrake being operable by applying force thereto to increase a tension of the handbrake against the wheel;   a hand operated handle mounted on the railcar and which is operable to apply the force to the handbrake;   a linkage component connecting the handle to the handbrake and through which the three is applied by the handle to the handbrake; and   a device for monitoring the status of the railcar handbrake, the device including a magnet inserted in the linkage component, and a sensing component mounted on the railcar;   electrical circuitry in the sensing component for detecting the proximity of the magnet and thusly the status of the handbrake; and   a power source electrically connected to the electrical circuitry for providing power thereto.   
     
     
         2 . A system for monitoring and reporting the status of a railcar handbrake in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a communication management unit mounted on the railcar, said communication unit being in communication with the sensing device for receiving information therefrom, said communication management unit having a wireless communication device for broadcasting information about the status of the railcar handbrake.   
     
     
         3 . A system for monitoring and reporting the status of a railcar handbrake in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the device for monitoring the status of the railcar handbrake includes a wireless communication device for transmitting information about the status of the handbrake. 
     
     
         4 . A system for monitoring and reporting the status of a railcar handbrake in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the electrical circuitry is configured to determine whether the handbrake is applied, and if so, broadcast information to the communication management unit indicating that the handbrake is applied. 
     
     
         5 . A system for monitoring and reporting the status of a railcar handbrake in accordance with  claim 4  wherein the device for monitoring the status of the railcar brake includes the magnet positioned on a bell crank of the linkage component. 
     
     
         6 . A method of monitoring and reporting the status of a railcar handbrake wherein the railcar handbrake includes a manually operated handle connected to a brake via a linkage and wherein the handle is manually operated to apply a force to the linkage for engaging the brake, the method comprising the following steps:
 (a) sensing whether the handbrake is applied by a sensing component determining the proximity of a magnet;   (b) detecting motion of the rail car by use of a motion detector; and   (c) if in step (a) it is determined that the brake is on, and in step (b) it is determined that the railcar is in motion, transmitting an alarm.   
     
     
         7 . A method of monitoring and reporting the status of a railcar handbrake in accordance with  claim 6  wherein step (a) is carried out by a sensing component mounted on the railcar detecting the proximity of a magnet mounted on a bell crank of the linkage. 
     
     
         8 . A method of monitoring and reporting the status of a railcar handbrake in accordance with  claim 6  wherein step (a) is carried out by a sensing device attached to the linkage, detecting the proximity of a magnet mounted on the railcar.